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Workplace dress freakout

ironkurtin

Veteran

OMG I signed up to work at a giant tech corporation renowned for employees that wear pleated chinos and ironed polo shirts NOT KIDDING. It has tiny tiny cubicles with no windows. Add to this that it's routinely 95-102 outside (which means a terrible sweaty commute), and from what I could tell from the office it will be freezing (which means I will need some kind of topper inside).

I am obsessing about what personality to present when I start on my first week. I have always dressed nicely for my jobs, but then my jobs were always at proudly creative entertainment houses and no one cared what I wore so I could dress for myself. I sense this may not be the case at Giant Tech. I sense I may need to buy polyester pants and blouses with neck bows on them, and no no no no no nooooooooo.

I keep looking at my closet wondering if I can represent the polished, creative, interesting professional I am without freaking out everyone there. I mean, yes, I will be in marketing (which is also freaking me out a little, since where I come from marketing is a different animal than creative) but how different can I be here without upsetting the apple cart?

I'm defaulting to black, people. In Austin, no one wears black. But I do. Especially black pants. And shirts I like, with interesting shoes. Maybe this will work OK?

Dressing

36 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

L'Abeille

Veteran

IK, do you follow Lisa's blog Amid Privilege? She used to work as marketing in the high tech industry, and goes into a bit of detail on how she chose to dress, She felt she had more creative leeway than the techy coworkers (who, seriously, if that's what they wear it indicates that they are not paying attention to clothes) but if I recall correctly, she thought the most important part of her outfit was the plate of cookies (haha just like Angie's ensembles) that ensured everyone was predisposed to do what she said.

Classically Casual

Veteran

Is there time before your first day to do a little lurking? Like at a nearby coffee shop, parking lot or whatever? You just need enough real life info, so you'll realize that casual wear is just casual wear. You'll be fine, in fact you'll probably be extraordinary, and you won't need polyester or bows. And most people are mainly thinking about themselves and their day. Good luck!

FlorenceFearne

Ewwww, pleated chinos and ironed polo shirts. Fear not, your fellow YLF'ers will get you through.

It'll take me a bit longer to get more specific about clothing, so I'll mull it over, but my first instinct is to tell you about a trick I employ just to make myself feel better. I wear something that's weird/gothy/creepy but that most people don't even notice. Last Friday it was a lovely scarf that got compliments from several coworkers who never noticed that what appears to be a floral print is actually comprised of skulls, beetles, and other insects. Some days it's weird jewelery, or a narrow studded belt, or stompy shoes that are mostly covered up by my pant legs. Now obviously we don't share the same style, but just one item that's definitely "you" can help you feel like you didn't check your soul at the door. And you'd be surprised how often nobody even notices.

And I think black pants+interesting shoe+good top is a perfectly fine way to start, at least until you have a better idea of what's the norm there.

Makrame

Veteran

I can't imagine that polyester pants and bow-tie blouses can be a job requirement, so I am sure you'll find things in your wardrobe that work for the new job. I like the idea of Amid Privilege, although I think Lisa projects an image that is so different from yours, that it may be hard to apply her suggestions. But she definitely had lots of interesting thoughts on how to dress for that environment.

Seems like black pants, sleeveless blouses for the commute, and some kind of topper for the office should work well. At least you don't have to wear a full suit!

DonnaF

Veteran

Does Giant Tech's web site or FaceBook show any pics of women employees? I will shoot you if you start to wear polyester pants and blouses with neck bows, and I'm very much pro gun control. (Obviously, I'm not Texan; I'm Californian.) You ARE in Austin, so I figure that you have more latitude than maybe other parts of TX, what with UT Austin and other tech firms being there.

I'm thinking no one wears black there because black looks too hot even if the fabric and cut actually means it isn't. I thought you also had a lot of white or at least white tops and toppers, or perhaps they no longer fit?

Peri

Veteran

Surely you can just present a more polished version of what the others are doing? Black or even khaki trousers in better material and more stylish cuts, drapey or silky Ts instead of polo shirts?

ironkurtin

Veteran

I worry about dressing better than my boss.

DonnaF

Veteran

I'm thinking that any Eileen Fisher sold in your local department stores would be safe and be within your and their comfort zones. I would skip her very cool harem pants until later, however.

MsMary

Veteran

I don't think dressing better than your boss is necessarily verboten. Different people care about different things, and if you care about your appearance and your boss doesn't care about his/hers, I don't see that as the end of the world.

Krista

Veteran

I'm going to go out on a limb and say dress the way you want to dress, provided you're actually dressed, not naked, and provided you're wearing work appropriate clothing and not a formal dress. It won't raise the bar for some, but it might raise the bar for others who've been dying for someone to set an example.

Your future co-workers sound like they dress in a similar way to people in my field. When I started out, I dressed my own way, felt out of place, tried to dress like everyone else, felt frumptastic, and went back to dressing my own way. I've been happier than a clam ever since. I've learned that my level of work dress is dressier than most, but I just can't compromise my sense of self for what "most" people wear.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I say tone it down for day one so that you can do some snooping around and see how other people do it, then gradually add in more of your own style

I also don't think it's bad to dress nicer than your boss :3 Esp if she likes poly pants. I like bow blouses though But mine have bears on em.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with MaryK. I've dressed "better" than my boss in the past, and I think that was part of why I usually seemed to be taken seriously and was often presumed to be "one in charge."

Keep your black! Your style is streamlined and simple -- I think it will make a quiet statement.

FlorenceFearne

I'm always the most "dressed up" person at work, but I think if you're more dressed up, being quirky acts as a counterbalance. So you might be fine. You won't be dressed up the same way that your boss would dress up, if that makes sense. They'll just view that as your personal style.

catgirl

Veteran

Unless it's an actual uniform requirement or the job requires certain clothes (like gym gear), I wouldn't worry about dressing "better" than the norm. Ponte skinnies and a drapy top or knit skirt and booties/sandals with a James Perse or Vince t... what do you think of those options?

ironkurtin

Veteran

AG, unfortunately ponte is an absolute no-go on 95-102 degrees. And when I wear skirts, I sweat in the car and it rolls between my thighs. Trust me when I say this is horrible. You very seldom see ladies in skirts in Austin and I bet this is why, because even with the no-chafe stuff making sure your thighs don't rash out, the sweating is gross.

I'm really trying to avoid buying a whole new wardrobe since I don't know if I would wear any of these things again. So I'll be trying to make what I already own dressier, I guess.

Sheila

Veteran

Oh I vote for Una's suggestions.

Sheila

Veteran

Uh-oh...no ponte. Linen bottoms???

catgirl

Veteran

Ok then flowy linen pants or dresses. Honestly what would not work of your current wardrobe and why?

catgirl

Veteran

High five Sheila!

Anonymous

Do you have certain dressing parameters that make the items you have inappropriate? I.e. shirts must have a collar, no sandals, belts must be worn with pants and shirts tucked in, etc? I wouldn't think your linen pieces and Eileen Fisher sweaters are necessarily more casual than pleated khakis and a polo shirt. Forgive me if I missed this in an earlier thread, I've been a little scarce on the forum.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I am just going to look very different than the other people at Big Tech. Edgier and more creative for sure.

I do still own linen pants, of course, but they are very casual. I don't think any of them are longer than 3/4 length. And I had to surplus all my Eileen Fisher when I lost the weight; they just don't fit right now. (Sad...) I still do own many other linen sweaters, so I expect to be trotting those out like a pony.

Anonymous

Sounds like a plan! Different can be very, very good.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Dana, just wear what you normally would wear - and make sure you're insulated in arctic a/c. Don't give it a second thought. That's auntentic style, and you at your best.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Ok Angie. Thank you and all the sweet ladies!

I have to pee in a cup and pass a drug test to work here. It's just all SOOOOO DIFFERENT.

always trying

Veteran

IMO 90% of the people pay no attention to what you wear, UNLESS you wear things like lots or noticeable red, bra straps showing, your tattoos showing, anything too tight or inappropriate like no cami under sheer blouses, etc. Just take a survey of asking co workers what someone wore yesterday, and no one will remember. Just because you care about fashion doesn't mean everyone else does. maybe one or two other women will pay attention to what you are wearing, but that is about all.
NOW I stated that this is just my opinion, so you don't have to agree.

Nadya

Veteran

I've worked in and with a variety of tech companies and I agree with Angie. Wear what you would wear. Since you're in marketing being more stylish than the average geek won't surprise people. After a month you'll have the lay of the land and know if you want to make any tweaks to make yourself more approachable or fun or authoritative or what have you. Plus while guys in tech may tend to dress the same (like the chinos and polo shirt), there's more variety among women. I love the blog of this technical woman with a fabulous style :
http://stylebysantina.blogspot.com/

Do you remember the blog post Angie did with her client who's a manager at Microsoft? She definitely doesn't follow the norm there and no one seems to mind!
http://youlookfab.com/2011/07/.....rsonified/

When do you start?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Wow a drug test? Regardless, although Austin corporate hi tech is not something I know a thing about, I do know that, despite the local corporate hi tech workers dressing in an, umm, let's say unoriginal way (and to clarify it does include chinos), no one would bat an eye if a marketing person had her own style.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Bah, I say dress however you want. They should respect originality. Hey, maybe you'll start a new fad (dressing like you care).

tarzy

Veteran

I completely understand your concerns - I've worked in both super creative and super conservative companies, and I would suggest you try to relax and give the people and the situation a chance. I'll bet you'll find that they're a diverse and interesting bunch of individuals trying to do their jobs and pay the mortgage, just like you. Some of them may be stylish, others not. Some may have come from different work situations, just like you, and are also struggling to find out where they fit in in a new corporate culture. As Angie says, be yourself and you'll figure out the vibe as you go along.

I would also add that it's great that you got a job so quickly. They must think you're very valuable! I can't even get my resume in the door anywhere and I've sent out tons and tons. (And, as far as I can recall, I haven't seen "polyester pants and blouses with neck bows on them" listed as a requirement anywhere!)

Good luck and have fun!

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